Sensor activated power reduction in voice activated mobile platform

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling power consumption of a voice activation system in a mobile platform includes monitoring one or more sensors of the mobile platform. Next, it is determined whether a microphone of the mobile platform is concealed or obstructed in response to the monitoring of the one or more sensors. If so, the mobile platform transitions one or more components of the voice activation system from a normal power consumption power state to a low power consumption state.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to power management in a mobileplatform, and in particular but not exclusively, relates to the powermanagement of a voice activated mobile platform.

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of mobile devices support one or more voiceactivation (VA) features. Often these VA features include the mobiledevice receiving a custom key word spoken by the user, where the mobiledevice then performs certain operations depending on the content of thekeyword, e.g. wake up the device from sleep mode, launch an application,or make a phone call. However, the VA features must be running whereverand whenever the user wishes to issue a voice command, and the VAfeatures thus constantly consume power. Furthermore, when the microphoneof the device is concealed in a bag, pocket, purse, case, or beltholster, the poor voice quality is challenging for VA to work properly.Moreover, the rubbing of the pocket/bag/purse material creates noise,which may cause false triggering of VA and thus waste the limited poweravailable to the mobile device.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure provide for reducedpower consumption of a mobile device by detecting the concealment and/orobstruction of the mobile device's microphone and then turning off theVA features either partially or completely while the microphone isconcealed or obstructed.

For example, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a methodof controlling power consumption of a voice activation system in amobile platform includes monitoring one or more sensors of the mobileplatform. Next, it is determined whether a microphone of the mobileplatform is concealed or obstructed in response to the monitoring of theone or more sensors. If so, the mobile platform transitions one or morecomponents of the voice activation system from a normal powerconsumption power state to a low power consumption state.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium includes program code stored thereon forcontrolling power consumption of a voice activated system in a mobileplatform. The program code includes instructions to monitor one or moresensors of the mobile platform, determine concealment or obstruction ofa microphone of the mobile platform in response to the monitoring of theone or more sensors, and transition one or more components of the voiceactivation system from a normal power consumption power state to a lowpower consumption state in response to determining concealment orobstruction of the microphone.

In a further aspect of the present disclosure, a mobile platformincludes a microphone, a voice activation system, a sensor system,memory, and a processing unit. The memory is adapted to store programcode for controlling power consumption of the voice activation systemand the processing unit is adapted to access and execute instructionsincluded in the program code. When the instructions are executed by theprocessing unit, the processing unit directs the mobile platform tomonitor the one or more sensors of the sensor system, determineconcealment or obstruction of the microphone of the mobile platform inresponse to the monitoring of the one or more sensors, and transitionone or more components of the voice activation system from a normalpower consumption power state to a low power consumption state inresponse to determining concealment or obstruction of the microphone.

The above and other aspects, objects, and features of the presentdisclosure will become apparent from the following description ofvarious embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the invention aredescribed with reference to the following figures, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various viewsunless otherwise specified.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a front side and a backside, respectively, ofa mobile platform that includes a voice activation system and that isconfigured to control power consumption of the voice activation system,in one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a possible implementation of themobile platform of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram illustrating the transition of a voiceactivation system between a low power consumption state and a normalpower consumption state.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling powerconsumption of a voice activation system in a mobile platform, in oneembodiment.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling powerconsumption of a voice activation system in a mobile platform, inanother embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary mobileplatform capable of controlling power consumption of a voice activationsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “anembodiment”, one example“, or an example” means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of thepresent invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in oneembodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout thisspecification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics maybe combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Anyexample or embodiment described herein is not to be construed aspreferred or advantageous over other examples or embodiments.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a front side and a backside, respectively, ofa mobile platform 100 that includes a voice activation system and thatis configured to control power consumption of the voice activationsystem. Mobile platform 100 is illustrated as including a display 102,speakers 104, and microphone 106. Mobile platform 100 may furtherinclude a rear-facing camera 108 and a front-facing camera 110 forcapturing images of an environment. Mobile platform 100 may furtherinclude a sensor system (discussed infra) that includes sensors such asa proximity sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, ambient light sensor,or the like, which may be used to assist in determining the positionand/or relative motion of mobile platform 100.

As used herein, a mobile platform refers to any portable electronicdevice such as a cellular or other wireless communication device,personal communication system (PCS) device, personal navigation device(PND), Personal Information Manager (PIM), Personal Digital Assistant(PDA), or other suitable mobile device (e.g., wearable devices). Also,“mobile platform” is intended to include all electronic devices,including wireless communication devices, computers, laptops, tabletcomputers, smart watches, etc. which are capable of voice activation.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a mobile platform 200. Mobileplatform 200 is one possible implementation of the mobile platform 100of FIG. 1. The illustrated example of mobile platform 200 includes amicrophone 202, an audio codec 204, an application processor 206, adigital signal processing (DSP) unit 208, an accelerometer 210, aproximity detector 212, and other sensors 214. Audio codec 204 is shownas including a hardware voice detection unit 216, while accelerometer210 is shown as including a buffer 218. FIG. 2 shows DSP unit 208 asincluding an imminent phone use detector (IPUD) 220, a software voicedetection unit 222, and a software keyword detection unit 224. In someembodiments, features or processes related to one or more of thesebefore mentioned modules or units may be combined or separated intoother configurations other than what is illustrated in the example ofFIG. 2.

Mobile platform 200 includes a voice activation system that allows auser to control the device via voice commands. The voice activationsystem of mobile platform 200 includes the microphone 202, audio codec204, DSP unit 208 and one or more applications running on applicationprocessor 206. As shown, audio codec 204 may include hardware voicedetection unit 216 to perform initial voice detection. Upon the initialvoice detection, audio codec 204 may generate a trigger to activatesoftware voice detection unit 222 that is executed by DSP unit 208. Thesoftware keyword detection unit includes algorithms that then processthe audio samples to determine what, if any keywords were spoken by theuser. In a typical system, the voice activation system (microphone,audio codec, voice detection algorithms, keyword detection algorithms)are always on, consuming power. Embodiments of the present disclosurereduce the power consumed by the voice activation system by turning offone or more of the voice activation system components when the mobiledevice is in a condition that would result in voice detection beingrendered difficult and/or unreliable (e.g., mobile device in a pocket ora bag). Accordingly, mobile platform 200 includes a sensor system thatincludes accelerometer 210, proximity detector 212, and other sensors214, such as an ambient light sensor, a gyroscope, and a pressuresensor.

In one embodiment, mobile platform 200 (e.g., implemented by imminentphone use detector (IPUD) 220) may receive input from one or moresensors (e.g., accelerometer 210, proximity detector 212, and othersensors 214, such as an ambient light sensor, a gyroscope, and/or apressure sensor) to determine whether mobile platform 200 is in one ofseveral positional states. For example, using data collected from thesensor system, mobile platform 200 may determine that mobile platform200 is in an ON_DESK state. The ON_DESK state includes mobile platform200 being at an absolute rest, face-up or face-down, and tilted up to±10 (ten) degrees from the horizontal plane. In another embodiment,mobile platform 200 may detect an IN_POCKET_BAG state when mobileplatform 200 is in any position inside of a loose or tight pocket orbag-like enclosure, in any ambient condition, such as lighting, time ofday, or temperature. Further positional states that are detectable bymobile platform 200 may include one or more PICKUP states (e.g., aPICKUP_FROM_DESK state or a PICKUP_FROM_POCKET/BAG state), based on datareceived from the sensor system. The PICKUP_FROM_DESK andPICKUP_FROM_POCKET/BAG states may be detected by mobile platform 200 forboth left and right hand pickups when mobile platform 200 is detected tono longer be in the ON_DESK or IN_POCKET_BAG states, respectively.Further positional states may include a FACING state and an UNKNOWNstate. The FACING state is detected by mobile platform 200 only whenthere is a pick-up action within a recent time period (e.g., 5 seconds).

In operation, mobile platform 200 may monitor the sensor system and thengenerate one or more disable signals in response to determining atransition of mobile platform 200 to the IN_POCKET_BAG state. In oneembodiment, mobile platform 200 utilizes disable signals to put one ormore of the voice activation system components into a lower powerconsumption or disabled state. For example, mobile platform 200 maydisable the hardware voice detection unit 216 in audio codec 204, andboth the software voice detection unit 222 and the software keyworddetection unit 224 running on DSP unit 208. In another embodiment,mobile platform 200 may disable only the software voice detection andsoftware keyword detection units running on the DSP unit 208 whileallowing the hardware voice detection unit 216 of the audio codec 204 toremain on. Subsequently, upon determining a transition to one of thePICKUP states, mobile platform 200 may then generate enable signals toturn on (i.e., restore to normal power consumption state) all of thepreviously disabled components of the voice activation system.

In some embodiments, IPUD 220, implemented as an engine or module,contains the logic or features described above to enable and disablespecific hardware and software features of mobile platform 200 accordingto states determined from the mobile platform 200 sensors. Mobileplatform 200's IPUD 220 may be communicatively coupled to voicedetection 216, voice detection 222, keyword detection 224, and one ormore sensors (e.g., accelerometer 210, proximity detector 212, and othersensors 214), and may receive sensor data and send disable signals asillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 is a state diagram 300 illustrating the transition of a voiceactivation system of a mobile platform (e.g., mobile platform 200)between a low power consumption state and a normal power consumptionstate. When the voice activation system of a mobile platform is in thenormal power consumption state 302, the voice activation system performsthe voice activation features as described above. That is, the voiceactivation system may monitor incoming audio from the mobile platformmicrophone and process the received audio samples for possible keywordcommands spoken by a user. These keyword commands may then be passed onto a voice activation application running on the mobile platform'sapplication processor (e.g., application processor 206).

However, when the mobile platform 200 detects a transition to theIN_POCKET_BAG positional state 304, mobile platform 200 puts one or morecomponents of the voice activation system into the low power consumptionstate. Since mobile platform 200 is in the IN_POCKET_BAG positionalstate this often correlates to the microphone of the mobile platformbeing concealed or obstructed such that the voice activation system maynot function properly. Thus, with one or more components of the voiceactivation system in the low power consumption state, the voiceactivation system will not perform the voice activation featuresdescribed above. That is, while in the low power consumption state thevoice activation system may not monitor incoming audio from mobileplatform 200 microphone and may also not process audio received from themicrophone.

Subsequently, when mobile platform 200 determines that mobile platform200 is no longer in the IN_POCKET_BAG positional state, such as the casewith a transition to the PICKUP state 308, mobile platform 200 may thenactivate the components of the voice activation system back to thenormal power consumption state 302 to restore operation of the voiceactivation system.

FIG. 4A is a flowchart illustrating a process 400 of controlling powerconsumption of a voice activation system in a mobile platform, in oneembodiment. Process 400 is one possible operation of a mobile platformwith the features described in FIG. 2. Thus, process 400 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4A.

Process 400 begins at process block 405 with the monitoring of proximitydetector 212. Thus, in this example, the proximity detector 212 may bein an always-on power state to continuously collect proximity data. Inone embodiment, monitoring proximity detector 212 includes mobileplatform 200 (e.g., IPUD 220) actively and periodically retrievingproximity data from proximity detector 212. In another embodiment,mobile platform 200 or one or more components of mobile platform 200(e.g., IPUD 220) may enter a sleep state (e.g., low power consumptionstate) until the proximity detector 212 detects a proximity state change(e.g., FAR-TO-NEAR, NEAR-TO-FAR, etc.) and then generates an enable(e.g., trigger) signal to wake-up the one or more components of mobileplatform 200.

Upon detecting a proximity state change in decision block 410, mobileplatform 200 then determines (i.e., decision block 415) whether theproximity state change was a FAR-TO-NEAR or a NEAR-TO-FAR proximitystate change. If the proximity state change was a FAR-TO-NEAR proximitystate change then process 400 proceeds to process block 420, wheremobile platform 200 retrieves accelerometer data from accelerometer 210.In one example, the accelerometer 210 is in an always-on state tocontinuously collect accelerometer data. However, in another example,accelerometer may enter a low power consumption state when accelerometerdata is not needed, where accelerometer 210 is turned on to a normalpower consumption state in response to the proximity detector 212detecting a proximity state change. Thus, accelerometer 210 may includean “on-only-when-needed” mode, that may further reduce power consumptionof mobile platform 200.

In one embodiment, the accelerometer data retrieved from accelerometer210 is accelerometer data from a time window around the transition tothe FAR-TO-NEAR proximity state. For example, accelerometer 210 mayinclude a buffer 218 to store recent accelerometer data. In someembodiments, the amount of sensor data to store may be configurableaccording to a threshold. In one embodiment, buffer 218 is afirst-in-first-out (FIFO) buffer capable of storing a threshold of about200 milliseconds to about 500 milliseconds of accelerometer dataimmediately preceding a proximity state change event. In otherembodiments, the threshold may be larger or smaller than the exampleabove.

Next, in decision block 425, mobile platform 200 determines, based ondata received from proximity detector 212 and accelerometer 210, whetherthe mobile platform 200 has changed positional states to theIN_POCKET_BAG state. If not, process 400 returns to process block 405 toagain monitor the proximity detector 212. If however, decision block 425does indeed determine that the mobile platform 200 is now in theIN_POCKET_BAG state, then mobile platform 200 may put one or morecomponents of the voice activation system (e.g., hardware voicedetection unit 216, software voice detection unit 222, and softwarekeyword detection unit 224) into the low power consumption state. Afterentering the low power consumption state in process block 430, process400 returns back to monitoring the proximity detector in process block405.

Returning now to decision block 415, if mobile platform 200 determinesthat the detected proximity state change was a NEAR-TO-FAR proximitystate change the process 400 the proceeds to process block 435, whererecent accelerometer data is retrieved from buffer 218. Based on theNEAR-TO_FAR proximity state change and on the accelerometer dataretrieved from buffer 218, mobile platform 200 then determines indecision block 445 whether the mobile platform 200 has transitioned tothe PICKUP positional state. If not, the process 400 returns to processblock 405. If, however, mobile platform 200 does indeed determine thatthe mobile platform 200 has transitioned to the PICKUP positional statethen process proceeds to process block 450 where mobile platform 200puts the voice activation system into the normal power consumptionstate. Putting the voice activation system into the normal powerconsumption state may include generating enable signals to turn on allcomponents of the voice activation systems, provided there were notalready on.

FIG. 4B is a flowchart illustrating a process 460 of controlling powerconsumption of a voice activation system in a mobile platform, in oneembodiment. At block 465, the embodiment monitors one or more sensors ofthe mobile platform. The one or more sensors may include a proximitydetector, accelerometer, or other sensors useful to determining state ofthe mobile platform.

At block 470, the embodiment determines, in response to the monitoringof the one or more sensors, a concealment or obstruction of a microphoneassociated with of the mobile platform. In one embodiment, determiningconcealment or obstruction of the microphone includes detecting aproximity state change of the mobile platform. Proximity state changesmay include near-to-far (e.g., removal of obstruction) and far-to-near(e.g., arrival of an obstruction) state changes determined fromproximity sensor data. In one embodiment, determining concealment orobstruction of the microphone includes retrieving accelerometer datawithin a time window that includes one or more of a period of timebefore or a period of time after the proximity state change of themobile platform. The mobile platform may include a buffer to store atleast some accelerometer data, where retrieving accelerometer data fromthe accelerometer includes retrieving accelerometer data from the buffercorresponding to a time immediately preceding the proximity statechange.

At block 475, the embodiment transitions, in response to determiningconcealment or obstruction of the microphone, one or more components ofthe voice activation system from a normal power consumption state to alow power consumption state. In some embodiments, the proximity detectorand the accelerometer are in an always-on power state to continuouslycollect proximity and accelerometer data. For example, the proximitydetector may be in an always-on power state to continuously collectproximity data and the accelerometer may be configured to transitionfrom the low power consumption state to the normal power consumptionstate in response to the proximity detector detecting the proximitystate change.

In some embodiments, transitioning one or more components of the voiceactivation system to the low power consumption state includes disablingthe one or more components. For example, the components may include ahardware voice detection unit, a software voice detection unit, asoftware keyword detection unit, or any combination thereof andtransitioning may include disabling (or otherwise reducing powerprovided to) the hardware voice detection unit, the software voicedetection unit, and the software keyword detection unit. In someembodiments, one or more of the components is in a normal power statewhile one or more other components are transitioned to a low powerconsumption. For example, transitioning the one or more components tothe low power consumption state may include disabling the software voicedetection unit and the software keyword detection unit, while leavingthe hardware voice detection unit in a normal power consumption state.

In some embodiments, the mobile platform continues to monitor the one ormore sensors of the mobile platform after transitioning the one or morecomponents of the voice activation system to the low power consumptionstate. The mobile platform may determine whether the microphone of themobile platform is no longer concealed or obstructed in response to thecontinual monitoring of the one or more sensors and transition the oneor more components of the voice activation system from the low powerconsumption state to the normal power consumption state in response todetermining that the microphone is no longer concealed or obstructed.

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram illustrating a mobile platform 500capable of controlling power consumption of a voice activation system522. Mobile platform 500 is one possible implementation of mobileplatform 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, and mobile platform 200 of FIG. 2.Mobile platform 500 includes a camera 502 as well as a user interface506 that includes the display 526 capable of displaying images capturedby the camera 502. User interface 506 may also include a keypad 528 orother input device through which the user can input information into themobile platform 500. If desired, the keypad 528 may be obviated byintegrating a virtual keypad into the display 526 with a touch sensor.User interface 506 may also include a microphone 530 and speaker 532,e.g., if the mobile platform is a cellular telephone.

Mobile platform 500 includes a sensor system 518 that includes sensorssuch as a proximity detector, accelerometers, magnetometer, gyroscopes,or other similar motion sensing elements. Of course, mobile platform 500may include other elements unrelated to the present disclosure, such asa wireless transceiver.

Mobile platform 500 also includes a control unit 504 that is connectedto and communicates with the camera 502 and user interface 506, alongwith other features, such as the sensor system 518, the imminent phoneuse detector (IPUD) 520 and the voice activation system 522. The voiceactivation system 522 accepts and processes data from microphone 530 andcontrols the mobile platform 500 in response, as discussed above.Control unit 504 may be provided by a processor 508 and associatedmemory 514, hardware 510, software 516, and firmware 512.

Control unit 504 also includes IPUD 520 for performing the powerconsumption control process 400 described above. Control unit 504 mayfurther include a graphics engine 524, which may be, e.g., a gamingengine, to render desired data in the display 526, if desired. IPUD 520and voice activation system 522 are illustrated separately and separatefrom processor 508 for clarity, but may be a single unit and/orimplemented in the processor 508 based on instructions in the software516 which is run in the processor 508. Processor 508, as well as one ormore of the IPUD 520, the voice activation system 522, and graphicsengine 524 can, but need not necessarily include, one or moremicroprocessors, embedded processors, controllers, application specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), advanced digital signal processors (ADSPs),and the like. The term processor describes the functions implemented bythe system rather than specific hardware. Moreover, as used herein theterm “memory” refers to any type of computer storage medium, includinglong term, short term, or other memory associated with mobile platform500, and is not to be limited to any particular type of memory or numberof memories, or type of media upon which memory is stored.

The processes described herein (e.g., the methods of FIG. 4A and FIG.4B) may be implemented by various means depending upon the application.For example, these processes may be implemented in hardware 510,firmware 512, software 516, or any combination thereof. For a hardwareimplementation, the processing units may be implemented within one ormore application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signalprocessors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs),programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays(FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors,electronic devices, other electronic units designed to perform thefunctions described herein, or a combination thereof.

For a firmware and/or software implementation, the processes may beimplemented with modules (e.g., procedures, functions, and so on) thatperform the functions described herein (e.g., the methods of FIG. 4A andFIG. 4B). Any computer-readable medium tangibly embodying instructionsmay be used in implementing the processes described herein. For example,program code may be stored in memory 514 and executed by the processor508. Memory 514 may be implemented within or external to the processor508.

If implemented in firmware and/or software, the functions (e.g., themethods of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B) may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Examples includenon-transitory computer-readable media encoded with a data structure andcomputer-readable media encoded with a computer program.Computer-readable media includes physical computer storage media. Astorage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, EEPROM, CD-ROM or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storagedevices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired programcode in the form of instructions or data structures and that can beaccessed by a computer; disk and disc, as used herein, includes compactdisc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media.

The order in which some or all of the process blocks appear in eachprocess discussed above should not be deemed limiting. Rather, one ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the present disclosurewill understand that some of the process blocks may be executed in avariety of orders not illustrated.

Those of skill would further appreciate that the various illustrativelogical blocks, modules, engines, circuits, and algorithm stepsdescribed in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may beimplemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinationsof both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware andsoftware, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, engines,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

Various modifications to the embodiments disclosed herein will bereadily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principlesdefined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present inventionis not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is tobe accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of controlling power consumption of avoice activation system in a mobile platform, the method comprising:monitoring one or more sensors of the mobile platform; determiningconcealment or obstruction of a microphone of the mobile platform inresponse to the monitoring of the one or more sensors; and transitioninga first component of the voice activation system from a normal powerconsumption state to a low power consumption state in response todetermining concealment or obstruction of the microphone while a secondcomponent of the voice activation system remains in a normal powerconsumption state, and wherein the voice activation system allows a userto control the mobile platform via voice commands.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more sensors includes a proximity detector,and wherein determining concealment or obstruction of the microphoneincludes detecting a proximity state change of the mobile platform. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more sensors further includesan accelerometer, and wherein determining concealment or obstruction ofthe microphone includes retrieving accelerometer data within a timewindow that includes one or more of a period of time before or a periodof time after the proximity state change of the mobile platform.
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the mobile platform further comprises abuffer to store at least some accelerometer data, and wherein retrievingaccelerometer data from the accelerometer includes retrievingaccelerometer data from the buffer corresponding to a time immediatelypreceding the proximity state change.
 5. The method of claim 3, whereinthe proximity detector and the accelerometer are in an always-on powerstate to continuously collect proximity and accelerometer data.
 6. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the proximity detector is in an always-onpower state to continuously collect proximity data and wherein theaccelerometer is configured to transition from the low power consumptionstate to the normal power consumption state in response to the proximitydetector detecting the proximity state change.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein transitioning the first component of the voice activation systemto the low power consumption state includes disabling the firstcomponent.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first componentincludes a hardware voice detection unit, a software voice detectionunit, a software keyword detection unit, or any combination thereof. 9.The method of claim 1, further comprising: continuing to monitor the oneor more sensors of the mobile platform after transitioning the firstcomponent of the voice activation system to the low power consumptionstate; determining whether the microphone of the mobile platform is nolonger concealed or obstructed in response to the continual monitoringof the one or more sensors; and transitioning the first component of thevoice activation system from the low power consumption state to thenormal power consumption state in response to determining that themicrophone is no longer concealed or obstructed.
 10. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium including program code stored thereon forcontrolling power consumption of a voice activated system in a mobileplatform, the program code comprising instructions to: monitor one ormore sensors of the mobile platform; determine concealment orobstruction of a microphone of the mobile platform in response to themonitoring of the one or more sensors; and transition a first componentof the voice activation system from a normal power consumption state toa low power consumption state in response to determining concealment orobstruction of the microphone while a second component of the voiceactivation system remains in a normal power consumption state, andwherein the voice activation system allows a user to control the mobileplatform via voice commands.
 11. The medium of claim 10, wherein the oneor more sensors includes a proximity detector, and wherein theinstructions to determine concealment or obstruction of the microphoneincludes instructions to detect a proximity state change of the mobileplatform.
 12. The medium of claim 11, wherein the one or more sensorsfurther includes an accelerometer, and wherein determining concealmentor obstruction of the microphone includes retrieving accelerometer datawithin a time window that includes one or more of a period of timebefore or a period of time after the proximity state change of themobile platform.
 13. The medium of claim 12, wherein the mobile platformfurther comprises a buffer to store at least some accelerometer data,and wherein the instructions to retrieve accelerometer data from theaccelerometer includes instructions to retrieve accelerometer data fromthe buffer corresponding to a time immediately preceding the proximitystate change.
 14. The medium of claim 12, wherein the proximity detectorand the accelerometer are in an always-on power state to continuouslycollect proximity and accelerometer data.
 15. The medium of claim 12,wherein the proximity detector is in an always-on power state tocontinuously collect proximity data and wherein the accelerometer isconfigured to transition from the low power consumption state to thenormal power consumption state in response to the proximity detectordetecting the proximity state change.
 16. The medium of claim 10,wherein the instructions to transition the first component of the voiceactivation system to the low power consumption state includesinstructions to disable the first component.
 17. The medium of claim 10,further comprising instructions to: continue monitoring the one or moresensors of the mobile platform after transitioning the first componentof the voice activation system to the low power consumption state;determine whether the microphone of the mobile platform is no longerconcealed or obstructed in response to the continual monitoring of theone or more sensors; and transition the first component of the voiceactivation system from the low power consumption state to the normalpower consumption state in response to determining that the microphoneis no longer concealed or obstructed.
 18. A mobile platform, comprising:a voice activation system coupled to the microphone to enable a user tocontrol the mobile platform via voice commands; a sensor systemincluding one or more sensors; memory adapted to store program code forcontrolling power consumption of the voice activation system; and aprocessing unit adapted to access and execute instructions included inthe program code, wherein when the instructions are executed by theprocessing unit, the processing unit directs the mobile platform to:monitor the one or more sensors of the sensor system; determineconcealment or obstruction of a microphone of the mobile platform inresponse to the monitoring of the one or more sensors; and transition afirst component of the voice activation system from a normal powerconsumption state to a low power consumption state in response todetermining concealment or obstruction of the microphone while a secondcomponent of the voice activation system remains in a normal powerconsumption state, and wherein the voice activation system allows a userto control the mobile platform via voice commands.
 19. The mobileplatform of claim 18, wherein the one or more sensors includes aproximity detector, and wherein the instructions to direct the mobileplatform to determine concealment or obstruction of the microphoneincludes instructions to detect a proximity state change of the mobileplatform.
 20. The mobile platform of claim 19, wherein the one or moresensors further includes an accelerometer, and wherein determiningconcealment or obstruction of the microphone includes retrievingaccelerometer data within a time window that includes one or more of aperiod of time before or a period of time after the proximity statechange of the mobile platform.
 21. The mobile platform of claim 20,wherein the mobile platform further comprises a buffer coupled to theaccelerometer to store at least some of the accelerometer data, andwherein the instructions to retrieve accelerometer data from theaccelerometer includes instructions to retrieve accelerometer data fromthe buffer corresponding to a time immediately preceding the proximitystate change.
 22. The mobile platform of claim 20, wherein the proximitydetector and the accelerometer are in an always-on power state tocontinuously collect proximity and accelerometer data.
 23. The mobileplatform of claim 20, wherein the proximity detector is in an always-onpower state to continuously collect proximity data and wherein theaccelerometer is configured to transition from the low power consumptionstate to the normal power consumption state in response to the proximitydetector detecting the proximity state change.
 24. The mobile platformof claim 18, wherein the instructions to transition the first componentof the voice activation system to the low power consumption stateincludes instructions to disable the first component.
 25. The mobileplatform of claim 18, wherein the first component includes a hardwarevoice detection unit, a software voice detection unit, a softwarekeyword detection unit, or any combination thereof.
 26. The mobileplatform of claim 18, wherein the program code further comprisesinstructions to: continue monitoring the one or more sensors of themobile platform after transitioning the first component of the voiceactivation system to the low power consumption state; determine whetherthe microphone of the mobile platform is no longer concealed orobstructed in response to the continual monitoring of the one or moresensors; and transition the first component of the voice activationsystem from the low power consumption state to the normal powerconsumption state in response to determining that the microphone is nolonger concealed or obstructed.
 27. The mobile platform of claim 18,wherein the voice activation system includes: an audio codec having ahardware voice detection component coupled to the microphone andconfigured to perform initial voice detection; and a digital signalprocessing unit having a software voice detection component and asoftware keyword detection component, the software voice detectioncomponent coupled to receive audio samples from the hardware voicedetection component and configured to perform voice detection, thesoftware keyword detection component coupled to the software voicedetection component to determine whether any voice commands were spokenby the user.